Flat plate solar collector

Abstract

A modular flat plate solar collector for fluid such as air or water includes a plurality of stacked, separable solar collector elements or sub-assemblies. Removable fastening members maintain the sub-assemblies in intimate contact with each other during operation and permit access and replacement of the sub-assemblies for repair purposes. This modular approach provides a reliable, low-cost and structurally strong unit. The use of a flow channel plate having passages with aspect ratios substantially in the range of 20 or greater further improves the performance and efficiency of the collector.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An efficient solar collector, comprising: a thin base; insulating means placed on top of the thin base; a fluid flow plate having a plurality of passages for conducting a fluid to be heated by the solar collector, the fluid flow plate being on top of the insulating means; an absorber having a layer of black chrome deposited over a layer of a metal foil, the absorber being bonded to the top of the fluid flow plate; a convection suppressor placed on top of the absorber for reducing heat losses from the absorber; a transparent cover for allowing solar radiation to pass placed on top of the convection suppressor; means to form a frame around the outer periphery of the thin base, insulating means, fluid flow plate, absorber, convection suppressor, and transparent cover all in a stacked relationship, the means to form a frame being easily removable from the stacked elements thereby providing a solar collector that is lightweight, efficient, and easily assembled and disassembled. 
     
     
       2. A modular solar collector that is lightweight, highly efficient and can easily be assembled and disassembled, comprising: a transparent cover for allowing solar radiation to pass, the transparent cover being treated with an anti-reflective material; a convection suppressor having a plurality of separate compartments for minimizing convection losses, the convection suppressor being placed adjacent the transparent cover; an absorber for absorbing solar radiation, the absorber having a black chrome layer over an aluminum foil layer, the absorber being adjacent to the convection suppressor; a plastic channel flow plate having a plurality of passages for fluid, the channel flow plate being in intimate contact with the absorber; insulation being adjacent the channel flow plate for minimizing heat losses from the channel flow plate; a first angled member having a first and a second leg, the first leg positioned beneath the insulation and the second leg extending upward toward the transparent cover on the outside of all elements below the transparent cover; a second angled member having a vertical portion adjacent the second leg of the first angled member and a first portion at right angle to the vertical portion and extending a short distance over the transparent cover; and means to secure the first and second angled members together to form a holding frame for all elements of the solar collector. 
     
     
       3. A solar collector comprising: a top member of glass or plastic having an anti-reflective coating disposed thereon; a plurality of stacked, separable elements including a flow channel plate having a plurality of interconnected passages, a convection suppression member and a metal absorber member having a selectively absorbing layer formed thereover interposed between said top member and said flow channel plate said metal absorber member being positioned in intimate contact with said flow channel plate for eliminating thermal impedance at the interface therebetween, and a solid insulating member disposed on the other side of said flow channel plate; and means for maintaining said elements in intimate contact with each other and with said top plate during operation and said means for maintaining being removable for accessing and replacing any desired one of said elements. 
     
     
       4. A modular solar collector as in claim 3 wherein: said convection suppressor member and insulating member are plastic.   
     
     
       5. A modular solar collector as in claim 3 wherein: said insulating member comprises a block of foamed material for minimizing heat losses and for providing structural integrity to the solar collector.   
     
     
       6. A modular solar collector as in claim 5 wherein: said solar collector weighs approximately 3-5 pounds per square foot of surface area.   
     
     
       7. A solar collector as in claim 3 wherein said selectively absorbing layer is a thin layer of black chrome. 
     
     
       8. A solar collector as in claim 3 wherein said flow channel plate is formed of a plastic material.